Horseradish Planting and Growing
Horseradish Planting and Growing
Preparation
Horse radish is a hardy perennial that grows in all zones except the hottest, low desert regions. Where you plant it depends on whether you intend to treat it as a perennial and leave it in place for years, or as an annual that you will replant each year. Plant in full sun to partially shady location. Horseradish prefers sandy loam, thrives on potassium and needs well drained soil.
Planting & Growing
Prepare soil, working in plenty of organic matter and add potash (potassium) such as Greensand. Plant 2 to 3 ft apart in fall or early spring. Horseradish roots are cut on a slant at the bottom end. If you harvest your own roots for planting a new crop, be sure to cut them the same way. Work the soil to at least 8" deep. Add a large handful of compost in the bottom of the hole. Place root in hole at an angle, not straight up and down. The root top should be 2" below the soil level. Firm soil in around the root. Horseradish likes moist soil during the growing season. If you plan to treat the plant as an annual and harvest the entire thing in fall, trim back lateral roots every six weeks beginning when the plant reaches 12" tall. To do this carefully remove the soil down to the roots, snip off any exposed lateral roots and repack soil around the taproot (the main root). This helps direct the energy into developing a much larger taproot.
Harvesting & Storing
Horseradish roots set out in the spring are harvestable size by fall, October or November. Dig up the entire root. Large main roots that are left in the soil till spring and harvested before new growth will have the hottest taste. Horseradish stores best when it is harvested later in the fall after the root has become conditioned to the cold. Allow to dry and keep in a cool place between 32-40 degrees with a high humidity. Horseradish can be stored up to 5-6 months.
Preparation
Horse radish is a hardy perennial that grows in all zones except the hottest, low desert regions. Where you plant it depends on whether you intend to treat it as a perennial and leave it in place for years, or as an annual that you will replant each year. Plant in full sun to partially shady location. Horseradish prefers sandy loam, thrives on potassium and needs well drained soil.
Planting & Growing
Prepare soil, working in plenty of organic matter and add potash (potassium) such as Greensand. Plant 2 to 3 ft apart in fall or early spring. Horseradish roots are cut on a slant at the bottom end. If you harvest your own roots for planting a new crop, be sure to cut them the same way. Work the soil to at least 8" deep. Add a large handful of compost in the bottom of the hole. Place root in hole at an angle, not straight up and down. The root top should be 2" below the soil level. Firm soil in around the root. Horseradish likes moist soil during the growing season. If you plan to treat the plant as an annual and harvest the entire thing in fall, trim back lateral roots every six weeks beginning when the plant reaches 12" tall. To do this carefully remove the soil down to the roots, snip off any exposed lateral roots and repack soil around the taproot (the main root). This helps direct the energy into developing a much larger taproot.
Harvesting & Storing
Horseradish roots set out in the spring are harvestable size by fall, October or November. Dig up the entire root. Large main roots that are left in the soil till spring and harvested before new growth will have the hottest taste. Horseradish stores best when it is harvested later in the fall after the root has become conditioned to the cold. Allow to dry and keep in a cool place between 32-40 degrees with a high humidity. Horseradish can be stored up to 5-6 months.
Comments